Sweden Events and Festivals

12/13/2009 - 12/13/2009Lucia Day

Taking place in the depths of winter, Lucia Day symbolically marks the start of the Christmas period and is characterised by a choir procession of young boys and girls led through the streets by a young lady dressed to represent St Lucia. Although she was originally a Sicilian saint, the Swedes have adopted her as their own and during the procession the woman chosen to represent Lucia is dressed in a floor-length white chemise with a wreath of lingonberry sprigs worn on her head with holders for real candles (although nowadays these are more commonly replaced with battery-powered lights) to represent a halo. The event takes place in many cities, towns and villages across Sweden and a national competition is usually held to find the country's Lucia who then travels to various ceremonies and engagements spreading light and warmth.